Typewriter-carriage-locking means



y A M. GARBELL TYPEWRITER ACARRIAGE LOCKING IBAS FilO-l?! 1l, 19 3 311001,!-51160124 1 umm" 1.

Jan. 15, 1929. M. GARBELL TYPE'RITER CARRIAGE LOCKIG EMS 3 shuts-Shoot. 2

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Jan. 15, 1929. 1,699,061

M. GARBELL TYPEWRITER CARRIAGE LOCKING MEANS Filed lay 11, 1925 s sheets-sheet 3 Patented Jan. 15, 1929.-

UNITED STATES l 1,699,051 PATENT OFFICE.,

IAX GARBELL. OF CHICAGO, IIiLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO VICTOR ADDING MACHINE COM- TYPEWBITER-CABBIAGE-LOCKING MEANS.

Application ined May 11, 1925. SeriaLNo. 29,334.

These improvements relate to means for locking the carriage of a typewriter in some predetermined relative position in its longitudinal patlrof travel. In the present specific embodiment the typewriter fragmentarily shown may be considered to be one of the well-known relatively small kind adapted to be carried about conveniently ina closelyitting case comprisinga base board and a cover having a top wall and depending end and side walls.

In such so-called portable typewriters the carriage must be adjusted rather accuf rately in a middle position before the top cover or main housing part of the case can be affixed to the base board on which the machine ordinarily rests and which, as stated, forms a wall of the case. j

It has been suggested heretofore to provide a lock for the carriage/in its middle position, with means also for holding the rack out of engagement with the pinion controlled by the escapement mechanism.

The chief objects of these improvements are to provide means whereby the locking and unlocking of the carriage, for instance in its middle position, is simplied and rendered more rapid, more easy, and in general more satisfactory tothe user; to provide carriage lockingV means of a peculiarly strong and positive character whereby certain of the typewriter parts are peculiarly well protected against otherwise injurious shocks and strains; to provide carriage locking and rackreleasing means substantially simultaneously put into operation in' a simple andV easy way, and without any manual controlof tl1e.carriage, so as to provide substantially an automatic adjustment and locking of the carriage in its desired osition, with the rack held out of contact'witli the escapement device pinion, and, in the structure shown, by merely depressing a key; and to provide means having the described advantages and which are equally operable when the carriage is in its shifted and in its non-shifted relative position. Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings forming a parthereof, Figure 1 is anenlarged vertical sectional view on the line 1-1 of Fig. 2, showing only that part of the typewriter mechanism' more directly involved in the present invention; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary rear elevation of parts shown in Fig. 1; Fig.

3 is a. front elevation of certain details of the locking mechanism; Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a view taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 4.

The main frame of the typewriting machine has a shaft 11 pivotally mounted therein and on which shaft is secured the carriage supports 12, (Fig. 1) only one thereof being shown. Secured to the carriage supports 12 is a lower guide rail member 13 havmg uide portions 14 and 15 adapted to coact wit the companion guide member 16 havin guide portions 17 and 18. The oppositelyisposed guides 14 and 17 and those marked 15 and 18 form guideways for -sets of rollers 19 and 20 providing for the easy travel of the carriage from side to side of the machine.

Secured to the carriage baseplate 16, arcuate in cross section, are the carriage ends 21 in which is rotatably mounted a platen 22 positioned to receive the impact of the downwardly-and-rearwardly striking type-bars 23, as shown in Fig. 1. Also pivotally mounted in the carriage ends 21 and rearward of the platen 22 is a shaft 24 extending longitudinally ot the carriage and which has fixed thereto a downwardly-extending arm 25 enlarged at its lower end for the screws 26 threaded into the rack 27. The openings in the arm 25 through which the screws 26 ass are of a suicient diameter to permit adjust ment of the rack 27 with respect to the pinion 28 of the escapement mechanism. The arm 25 has an upwardly-extending thumb-piece 25a to which the tension spring 29 is attached for holding the rack 27 retractably in engagement with the escapemeut pinion 28. The rack 27 is limited in its inward movement by the guide-rail 17, as shown in Fig. 1. y

Pivotally mounted on the shaft 11. is a carriage-lock holding and guiding member 30 having at its lower end two inwardly-turned ears 30a through which the shaft 11 extends. The side edges of the upper portion of the guide member 30 are formed into channelshaped guides 31. As will be seen in Fig. 2 the guide member 30 is forked, providing the opening or recess 32 and the two upwardlyextending arms 33, these arms having putwardly-turned fianges 34'which are secured to the lower guide-rail member 13 (Fig. 1).

'Slidably mounted within the guide-member 30 is a similar member 35 having its sides formed into channel-shaped guides 36 adapted to receive the slidably mounted stop or latch member 37.

The guide member 30 has at its lower end an outwardly turned ear 3()b to which one end of a tension spring 38l is secured, the

. of a tension spring 39, the other end of which is secured to the extending ear 37a of the slidable stop member 37. This member 37 is limited in its upward movement by the lower edge of the guides formed on the sides of the slidable guide member 35, the body of which has an-elongated slot 37h (Figs. 3 and 4).

Adjacent to the guide member is the rack-releasing member 40 having two inwardl -turned ears 41 and 42 through which the s aft 1l extends. The rack-releasing member 40 extends upwardly and has its top edge bent over ata right angle and to which bent-over part the pad or cushion 40b is fixed, the pad being adapted to contact the rack 27.

The rack-releasing mechanism mounted on the shaft 11 is held in position by the collars 43 fixed to the shaft.-

The base of the guide-rail member 16 has a downwardly-extending lug 44 fixed thereto and adapted to be engaged by the slidable and dtlpvnwardly yielding locking member or part The key member 45 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 46, supported in the bearing member 47 fixed to the main frame 10 of the v machine, the forward end extending through a slot in the comb 48 and being guided therein. The rearward end of the key member 45 has an arcuate upwardly-projecting arm 45SL extending through an elongated slot 37b of the slidable stop member 37 and engages the slidable guide member 35.

The lower rear portion of the key member 45 has an arm 45? bent at a right angle thereto and adapted to engage the extension 42 formed on the ear 420i. the rack-releasing member 40.

The forward end of the key member 45 'is provided with spring-actuated holding means comprising.,y an arm 49 having a hook 49l adapted to engage a recess in the comb 48 when the key member 45 is depressed. The thumb-piece 49". on the arm 49 provides means for releasing the key from itscarriage-locking position.

When the parts are in their unlocked position. as shown in full lines in Fig. 1, the upper portion of the carriage containing the platen is free to move longitudinally step-by-step as the machine is operated.

Upon depressing the front end of key member 45 its rearward end or arcuate aria-45a lifts the slidable guide member carrying, through the tension of the spring 39, the slidable stop, catch or locking member-37 into the path of movement of the projection 44 on the carriage. The spring 39 then holds the catch 37 yieldingly in raised position. About midway of the upward movement of the arm 45a the lower extension 45h of the lever 45 engages the extension 42 of the rack-releasing member (see Fig. 1) and further movement of the key member causes said member 4() to swing on fue shaft 11 and into contact with the rack forcing it out of engagement with the pinion 23 controlling the step-by-step movement of the carriage, thus freeing the carri age to be drawn by the motor drum until the stop or projection 44 contacts the beveled top of the latch 37, forcing it downward and permitting the stop 44 to advance slightly farther until it is opposite the recess 33 in the top of the 'locking part 37, at which time the spring draws the locking part 37 upward and the projection 44 becomes held within the recess 33. The carriage is thus not merely stopped but is locked against longitudinal movement in either direction.

It is thus clear that when the operator desires to lock the carriage in its medial position, regardless of its then position, he depresses the key K which automatically becomes caught and held in depressed position. As a result of this action the yielding latch 37 is raised into the path of thc lug 44 on the carriage and the rack is moved out. of cngagement with the escapement device pinion, freeing the A.carnage/.for longitudlnal movement in either direction. If the carriage is standing to the left of its middle position the operator merely pushes it to the right until it becomes locked, and if it is'to the right it automatically moves to the left under the action of the motor drum and automatically becomes locked.

In the present machine the carriage vis mounted on the shaft 11 for arcuate swinging movements backward and forward for enga gement with spaced-apart characters on the present claimed invention such changes, modiications and depart-ures from what is specifically set forth herein as fall Within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Ina typewriting machine having a longitudinally movable carriage, the combination of a rack bar movable with respect to the carriage, a key-member mounted independent of the carriage, means forreleasably locking the carriage against longitudinal movement, and means actuable by the keymember regardless of the position of the carriage for moving the rack bar and positioning the locking means to be engaged by the carriage.

2. In a typewriting machine having a longitudinally movable carriage, the combination of a. rack bar pivoted for movement relative to the carriage, a key-member carried by relatively ixed parts of the machine, means movable into the path of travel of. the carriage for locking the carriage'against longitudinal movement, means actuable by the key-member regardless of the position of the carriage for positioning said movable locking means in the path ot travel of the carriage and moving the rack bar, and means 'for maintaining the key-member release-bly in a given position to maintain the locking means releasably in carriage-locking position.

' 3. In a typewriting machine having a longitudinally movable carriage, the combination therewith ot a key-member operable from the front of the machine, carriage-lockmg means mounted to be moved toward the path of travel of the carriage, spring means for drawing the carriage in one direction, a rack on the carriage for providing a stepby-s'tep movementof the carriage, a control pinion for said rack, meansl operable by a movement of the key-member for moving the locking means toward the path of travel of the carriage, means operable by the same movement of the key-member for disengaging the rack from its control pinion whereby the carriage is free to be drawn into Contact With the locking means by the carriage-drawing means, the carriage andV said locking means having cooperating elements including a spring-pressed member adapted to hold the carriage against longitudinal movement.

4. Ina typewriting machine having a longitudinally movable carriage. -means for drawing the carriage in one direction. lock- ,ing means including a yielding member mounted for movement into the path ot travel of the carriage, pinion-and-rack means for controlling the movement of the carriage, said rack being mounted for movement into and out of engagement With the pinion, means including a finger piece near the front of the machine for moving said yielding member into the path of travel of the carriage and for moving the rack out of engagement Wit-hthe pinion, and means or holding the rack and said yielding member releasably in said last-mentioned relative positions respectively.

5. In a typewriting machine having a longitudinally movable carriage, a pinion and rack for controlling the longitudinal movement of the carriage, locking means mounted for movement into the path of travel of the carriage, said rack 'and pinion being movable relatively to each other to disengage one from the other, and means operable regardless of the position of the carriage for simultaneously moving the locking means into the path of travel of the carriage and causing the disengagement of said rack and inion.

6. In a typewriting machine having a longitudinally movable carriage, a pinion and rack means for controlling the longitudinal movement of the. carriage, locking means mounted for movement into the path of travel of the carriage, said rack and pinion being movable relatively to each other to disengage one from the other, means for moving said locking means into the path of travel of the carriage, and means for causing the disengagement of the rack and pinion, said last named means being movable by said means for moving said locking means regardless of the position of the carriage.

7 In a. typewriting machine having a 1ongitudinally movable carriage, a pinion and. a pivoted rack for controlling the longitudinal movement of the carriage, dlocking means mounted for movement into the path of travel of the carriage, said rack and pinion being movable relatively to each other to disengage one from the other, and means operable regardless of the position of the carriage for moving the locking means into the path of travel of the carriage and causing theautomatic disengagement of said rack and pinion.

8. In a typewriting machine having a longitudinally movable carriage, a pinion and a pivoted rack for controlling the .longitudinal movement of the carriage, locking means mounted for movement into the path of travel of the cari-ia e regardless of the position of the latter, an pivoted means operable by said last mentioned means for engaging said rack and moving said rack on its pivot out of engagement with said/pinion.

9. In a typewriting machine having a longitudinally movable carriage, a. pinion and a pivoted rack for controlling the longitudinal movement of the carriage, locking means mounted for movement into the path of travel of the carriage, means for moving the locking means into the ath of travel of said carriage regardless of t e position of the latter, and pivoted4 means operable by said last men.-

tioned means for engaging said rack and simultaneously moving said rack on its pivot out of engagement with said pinion.

10. In a typewriting machine having a longitudinally movable carriage, a pinion and a pivoted rack for controlling the longitudinal movement of the carriage, a locking means in'- cluding an element movable into the path of travel of said carriage, said element being yieldable when in said last mentioned position, a. key-lever for moving said locking means into said position, and means engageable by the key-lever for actuating the pivoted rack and releasing said rack and pinion.

11. In a typewriting machine having a longitudinally movable carriage, means for controlling the longitudinal movement of the carriage, a locking means for locking the carriage against longitudinal movement, a key-leverV for actuating said locking means, said locking means including-a member movable towards the carriage, and an element carried by said member, said element being movable into the path-of travel of said carriage regardless of the position Vof the latter.

12. In a typewriting machine havin a lon-v gitudinally movable carriage, means or controlling the longitudinal 'movement ofthe carriage, a locking means for locking the carriage against longitudinal movement,-a keylever for actuating said locking means, said locking means including'a member movable towards the carriage and an element carried by said member, said element being movable into the path of said carriageregardless of the position of the latter, kand means for causing the release of said first mentioned means, said means being operable by `said key-lever.

13. In a writer adapted to be `encased and in which -lt is necessary that the movable parts thereof be located in predeterminedminimum volume-occupying space prior to encasement, a longitudinally movable-carriage, and key operated means for releasably locking said carriage in position for encasement, said means-comprising a member positionable to retain said carriage in a predetermined position irrespective of the position in which said carriage may stand when said locking means are operated.

14. In a typewriter adapted to `be encased and in which it is necessary that the movable parts thereof be located in predetermined minimum volume-occupying space prior to encasement, a longitudinally movable carriage, and key operated means for centralizing and locking said carriage.

15. In a typewriteradapted to be encased and in which it is necessary that thev movable parts thereof` be located in predetermined minimum volume-occupying space prior to encasement, a longitudinally movable carriage, and key operated meansfor centralizing and locking said carriage, said key operated means being so combined with said carrlage thatthe latter may be locked in central position in either of its shifted positions.

16: In a typewriter adapted to be encased and 1n whleh it is necessary that the movable and in which it is necessary that the movable parts thereof be located in predetermined minimum volume-occupying space prior to encasement, a longitudinally vmovable carriage, and key operated means for locking said carriage in central position prior to eneasement, said means permitting said locklng irrespective of onv which side of the center said1 carriage stands when said key is operatet.

18. In a typewriter adapted to be encased and in which it is necessary that the movable parts thereof be located in predetermined minimum volume-occupying space prior to encasement, a longitudinally movable carriage adapted to be normally actuated by a rack and pinion, and key operated meansfor releasing said carriage from said normal rack and pinion connection and automatically setting up a central positioning lock for said carriage.

19. In a typewriter adapted to be encased and in which it is necessarv that the movable Vparts thereof be located in predetermined minimum volume-occupying space rior to 'encasement, a longitudinally mova le carriage adapted to be normally actuated by a rack, pinion, and power means, and key operated means for releasing said carriage from the normal rack and pinion connection to permit thev free movement of said carriage in either direction, and means comprising a lock adapted to engage said carriage and automatically centralize the same when said earriage is moved in either direction after said release. l

20. In a typewriter adapted to be encased and in which it is necessary that the movable parts thereof be located in predetermined minimum volume-occupying space prior to encasement, a longitudinally movable car-4 riage, a depressible key member mounted on said machine, a member for locking said carriage in central position, and means operable upon depression of said key to free said carriage for movement in either direction and to so position said locking means that said carriage will be engaged and held in central position until the release of said'key, irrespective of in which direction said carriage is moved to locked central position.

llO

21. In a, typewriter adapted to be encased i and in which it is necessary that the movable parts thereof be located in predetermined minimum volume-occupying'space prior to eneasement, a longitudinally movable carriage, a carriage centralizin and locking key, locking means operated by said key for arresting and holding said carrlage in centralized position after the same is freed to be moved in either direction toward said Central position, an engageable portion on said carriage, said locking means comprising an engaging member adapted to be lifted into the path of said carriage portion said engaging member being so contoured and mounted that it will engage and lock said carriage in central position when the later is moved from either direction toward the center.

22. In a typewriter adapted to be encased and in which it is necessary that the movable parts thereof be located in predetermined minimum volume-occupying space rior to encasement, a longitudinally movable carria e, a carriage centralizing and locking key, lo'c ring means operated by said key for arresting and holding said carriage in centralized position after the same is freed to be moved in either direction toward said central position, an engageable portion on said carriage, a yieldingly mounted equitant member adapted to embrace said carriage portion to lock the latter and having cam-like sides to permit the carriage portion to ride thereover and be embraced and locked irrespective of the direction in which said carriage is moved after being freed.

v 23. In a typewriter adapted to be encased and in which it is necessary that the movable parts thereof be located in predetermined minimum volume-occupying space prior to encasement, a longitudinally movable carriage, a carriage centralizing and locking key, locking means operated by said key'for arresting and holding said carriage in centralized position after the same is freed to be moved in either direction toward said central position, an engageable portion on said carriage, a guide member, a member slidable in said ide member and a locking member movab e with, but

`yie dingly mounted in, said slidable member,

and means oierated by said key to move said slidable mem er and said locking member into the path of said carriage portion.

24. In a t riter adapted to be encased Y and in which itis necessary that the movable tion after the same is freed to be moved in either direction toward said central position, an engageable portion on said carriage, a guide member, a member slidable in said guide member, and a locking member movable with, but yieldingly mounted in, said slidable member, and means operated by said key 'to move said slidable member and Asaid locking member into. the path ofsaid carriage portion, said locking member being forked to receive said carriage portion between its arms and said arms being cam-like so that said carriage portion may yieldingly press said locking member to lock said portion between said arms irrespective of the direction said carriage moves.

25. In a typewriter adapted to be encased and in which it is necessary that the movable .parts thereof be located in predeterminedminimum volume-occupying space prior to encasement, a longitudinally movable carriage, a carriage centralizing and locking key, locking means operated by 'said key for arresting and holding said carriage in centralized position after the same is freed to be moved in eitherdirection toward said central position, an engageable portion on said carriage, a guide member, a member slidable in said guide member, and a locking meinber movable with, but yieldingly mounted in, said slidable member, and means operated b said key to move said slidable member an said locking member into the path of said carriage portion, said locking member being forked to receive said carriage between its arms and said arms being cam-like so that said carriage portion may yieldin ly press said locking member to -lock sai portion between said arms irrespective of the direction said carria e moves, and said-key being releasably held in locked position upon depression to secure said carriage against longitudinal movement.

MAX GARBELL 

